Friday, March 25, 2011

Chateau de Blois...

There are two magazines I cannot do without...World of Interiors and Antiquariato.

Antiquariato is an Italian publication I discovered over a decade ago. The February issue has a wonderful article on "Il Castello di Blois" or, the Chateau de Blois .

Andrea Lapi photo

Home to several kings, the chateau is a series of buildings constructed from the 13th to the 17th c.

It has 100 bedrooms ( this one being the King's with Henry IV's "H" in the floor tiles)

V come Viaggiare photo

Wikipedia states it" has 564 rooms and 75 staircases although only 23 were used frequently".

7 kings and 10 queens resided in the chateau.

Joan of Arc came here to have her banner blessed.

The salamander, a symbol of Francois l, is predominant in the chateau.

Wikipedia

The chateau was reduced to being barracks during the French Revolution but in 1840 it was classified a national historical monument and is now a museum. If you want to see more detailed photos of the grounds and interiors of the chateau, click here and here.

How wonderful, I did not know about this place or the magazine. I need to move into Chateux de Blois because it appears the place was decorated for me! I have an H monogrammed stenciled floor in my garden shed beat that Henry..... Oh, I think he just did.

Every single one of your posts is so wonderful, Theresa. Your blog is one of my faves. I love monograms and I love learning about new magazines. Antiquariato sounds amazing. Incredible that they would take a creature that we might considerable a questionable design choice (the salamander) and make him such a beautiful part of the home -- maintain the family pride and its history. Something to remember.

What would we know w/o good magazines?The architecture and ornament are wonderful. What I want to know now is the etiquete.(sic) Are certain stairs only for going up or down? No two royals should ever meet on a stair passage? Is it like driving on a hill where up defers to down? That protocal is the real lost art in all this.. (thank god)

Also love World of Interiors, but did not know of this Italian beauty. I can certainly see why you love "Antiquariato"--spectacular images to feed the artist in you. As I have said before, I love looking at art through your eyes! While I don't have your talent or education, I can always trust your interpretation to resonate with me.

Theresa, this is one the first castles i visited as a child because my parents house is in the Loire valley ! Thank you for this moment of historical beauty and introducing me to this Italian magazine of which i've never heard before...You always show the best !!

Theresa, you can ask me all the questions you want about it! I have some pictures about my work on Blois castel's mural painting on Facebook. I give you the links:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100000368618809&aid=44830and:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=529&id=100000368618809

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